Armed Forces Covenant Progress Report
Perth and Kinross Council · 14 January 2026
Back to Perth and Kinross Council — 14 January 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Full Council Committee Date of Meeting: 14 January 2026 Report Title: Armed Forces Covenant Progress Report Report Number: 26/10 Report Author: David McPhee, Team Leader – Equalities Organisational Lead: Elaine Ritchie, Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this Report is to provide members with an update on the Council’s progress in fulfilling its commitment under the Armed Forces Covenant. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendation 3. Background/Context 4. Progress 5. Proposals 6. Conclusion 7. Impact Value Assessment 8. Appendices 2. Recommendation It is recommended that the Committee: - 2.1 Notes the content of this report and approves the continued work in relation to the Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Page 2
3. Background/Context 3.1 The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated fairly and should not face disadvantages when seeking to access public or private goods and services in the UK. 3.2 The Covenant is a voluntary pledge. Organisations may choose to sign up to demonstrate their support for the Armed Forces Community and for the principles of the Covenant. All organisations, public, private or voluntary and small, medium or large, are welcome to sign the Covenant. 3.3 Perth and Kinross Council first signed the Covenant in December 2012, reaffirming this commitment in September 2017. 3.4 Signatories to the Covenant may also be recognised through the Employer Recognition Scheme, which offers Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. The Council was proud to receive the Gold Award in 2021, which is subject to review every five years by the Ministry of Defence. In preparation for our 2026 review, we have ready begun work to ensure continued compliance and excellence. As a Gold Award holder, the Council actively supports silver and bronze award organisations aspiring to achieve Gold status. Our local Armed Forces and Veterans Champion regularly engages with champions from public and private sector organisations to share our experiences and promote best practice. 3.5 There is now a legal duty to have due regard to the Armed Forces Covenant, as set out in the Armed Forces Act 2021, which came into force in November 2022. 3.6 This duty requires organisations to give conscious consideration of the needs of the Armed Forces community and to place appropriate weight on the principles of the Covenant when carrying out relevant functions. 3.7 For the Council, the duty applies to some of the Council’s Housing and Education responsibilities. It also extends to certain health functions delivered by NHS Tayside, including those delegated to the Integrated Joint Board. 3.8 The Council’s housing responsibilities under the duty include: • Allocation policies for social housing. • Homelessness (strategic and advice and provision of accommodation). • Grants for adaptations. 3.9 The Education-related responsibilities include: • Admissions (including placing requests). • Transport. • Attendance. • Additional Support Needs. • Educational provision, attainment and curriculum. • Student wellbeing.
Page 3
3.10 An Action Plan is in place to monitor and support the continued progress in relation to this work across all Council areas including those specific functions covered by the new duty. Full details are available in Appendix 1. 3.11 The Council’s work relating to the Armed Forces Covenant is led by the Armed Forces and Veterans Champion, an Elected Member role. In addition, the Corporate Equalities Team Leader acts as the named Council Officer for Armed Forces and Veterans matters, coordinating responses to veterans’ issues. 3.12 Named officer contacts have also been identified across key Council service areas, Housing, Education, Employability, Welfare Rights, and Human Resources, to support specific issues affecting veterans and reservists. This group meets twice annually with the Armed Forces and Veterans Champion to monitor progress against the Action Plan. 3.13 The Champion actively participates in a wide range of local and national forums, including: • Highland Gold Network • Veterans and Cadet Force Volunteer Network • Veterans Breakfast Club (monthly) • RAF Association • Association of Perth Veterans • Perth Salute Planning Group • Collaborative work with Perth Prison, including the creation of a Wicker Statue for its Memorial Garden 3.14 The Champion also holds individual case meetings with veterans, typically focused on housing or mental health, and works closely with organisations such as Veterans Housing Scotland and SSAFA. 3.15 As part of the role, the Champion serves on the Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, which oversees local cadet forces. Regular contact and visits to local cadet units are maintained to support their development and engagement. 4. Progress 4.1 Over the past 12 months, the Council has continued to demonstrate its commitment to supporting Veterans and their families through various services, civic responsibilities, and as an employer. These include: - • Maintaining and updating the range of information available to Veterans on our website in a dedicated area – http://www.pkc.gov.uk/adviceforveterans • Offering an informal network for staff who are Veterans, Reservists or Adult Cadet Force Volunteers and for any staff members who have family members serving in the forces.
Page 4
These network meetings are chaired by the Armed Forces and Veterans Champion and provide opportunities to share experiences and discuss workplace issues and policies. • Updating our ‘Veterans First’ Guide. A booklet with information for those people leaving the Armed forces and settling in Perth and Kinross. This was undertaken in partnership with the local branch of SSAFA, a services charity. The guide is available online and in booklet form. • Since 2019, we have continued to make available the ‘Armed Forces Covenant for Frontline Workers’ eLearning module for all frontline employees. Completion figures over recent years demonstrate ongoing engagement: ▪ 2025: 49 staff ▪ 2024: 26 staff ▪ 2023: 87 staff ▪ 2022: 42 staff ▪ 2021: 75 staff • Continued to attend Corporate Induction sessions with pop up banner and information leaflet for staff about the Armed Forces Covenant Duty. • Hosted a Veterans Housing Scotland Event in the Civic Hall • Securing a recurring annual budget of £5,000 for this work as part of the Council’s budget setting process in February 2023. In additional, a further £3,000 was allocated this year to support VE80 and VJ80 commemorative events. To date, the total financial commitment for the current year stands at £5,370. • The Provost, Depute Provost and Armed Forces and Veterans Champion continue to host and represent the Council at a range of civic and military events. These include local and national ceremonies, salutes, Remembrance events and engagement and policy events and are detailed in Appendix 2. 5. Proposals 5.1 The Council will continue to work in partnership with Council services and Veterans’ Support organisations to address issues affecting veterans and their families in the year ahead. This will ensure that the Council continues to make positive progress in fulfilling its commitment under the Armed Forces Covenant.
Page 5
6. Conclusion 6.1 Perth and Kinross Council remains fully committed to upholding the Armed Forces Covenant. The Council’s ongoing actions and partnerships demonstrate a strong dedication to supporting veterans, serving personnel, and their families. Continued collaboration with local and national partners will ensure that the Council maintains its high standards and fulfils its responsibilities under the Covenant in the year ahead. 7. Impact Value Assessment 7.1 This report has been classified as being an operational report and as such does not require a full Impact and Value Assessment. 8. Appendices 8.1 Appendix 1 - Perth and Kinross Council – Armed Forces Covenant Action Plan 2025-26 8.2 Appendix 2 – List of Civic Dates for Veteran and Armed Forces Events 2024/25 8.3 Appendix 3 – Case Study Example – Veterans Employability Support